Medvedev Stranded in Dubai
Tennis star Daniil Medvedev is among players stuck in Dubai following U.S. airstrikes in the Middle East, with airspace closures preventing onward travel ahead of major tournaments. The disruption has put a pause on schedules for many top players as organizers scramble before Indian Wells, which kicks off today.
The U.S. and Israeli joint military operation that began on Saturday, February 28, targeted key military and nuclear infrastructure within Iran. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, with some targeting U.S. bases in the UAE, prompting an immediate and indefinite closure of the country's airspace. Dubai's two international airports, which handle an average of 240,000 passengers daily, suspended all commercial flights. The travel shutdown has ensnared a significant number of athletes. Besides Medvedev, Russian semifinalist Andrey Rublev, and Dutch finalist Tallon Griekspoor are also unable to leave Dubai. The entire quartet from the men's doubles final—Harri Heliovaara, Henry Patten, Marcelo Arevalo, and Mate Pavic—are also grounded, along with their coaching staff and other tournament personnel. The ATP has reportedly presented the stranded players with risky overland travel options, including a six-hour drive to Oman or a ten-hour journey to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For now, the players have opted to remain in their hotel, which has been described as a "bunker," with the ATP's head of security advising them to stay inside for safety. One player who narrowly avoided the lockdown was Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who caught one of the last flights out of Dubai and has already been seen practicing at Indian Wells. This disruption extends beyond tennis, impacting travel for teams and personnel in Formula 1 ahead of the Australian Grand Prix and stranding several EuroLeague basketball players who were in the region. The main draw for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, a premier event on the tennis calendar, is set to begin on March 4. The stranded players, including seeded competitors like Medvedev and Rublev, face a dwindling window to arrive in California and prepare for the tournament.
